David Hearn, Ex-olympian, Denies Charges in Reflecting Pool Incident

WHO:

AP - David Hearn, a three-time Olympian, was indicted on a single felony count of property destruction.

AP - Norm Eisen, one of Hearn's attorneys, stated, "Every American should be alarmed about this prosecution."

AP - Adam Van Grack, chair of the U.S. Olympic national governing body for canoe and kayak sports, supported Hearn, stating he has devoted his life to caring for National Park Service property.

CNN - David "Davey" Hearn, a 67-year-old former U.S. Olympic canoeist.

CNN - Jeanine Pirro, DC US Attorney.

CNN - Norm Eisen, attorney for Hearn.

CNN - Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat.

WHAT:

AP - Hearn was accused of causing more than $1,000 in damage by ripping up recently installed sealant from the pool.

AP - The pool's renovation has been plagued by problems, including the use of devices called nanobubblers to curtail algae blooms.

CNN - Hearn's attorneys stated, "The government’s evidence is weak," during the hearing.

CNN - Norm Eisen, another attorney for Hearn, claimed, "If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk."

CNN - Hearn's supporters gathered outside the courthouse carrying signs, with at least one supporter holding a life preserver.

Fox News Sports - More than $16 million has been spent on taxpayer-funded renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

CNN - Hearn's indictment was described as a notably aggressive prosecutorial choice by DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

CNN - Hearn's attorneys invoked his right to a speedy trial, but the judge stated a trial could not be held until February 2027 due to the court’s calendar.

CNN - Three other individuals accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property, with the amount of damage they are accused of causing being less than $1,000.

Fox News Sports - David Hearn pleaded not guilty to deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

CNN - Hearn was indicted on July 2 on one count of destruction of property of more than $1,000.

CNN - The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

CNN - Hearn allegedly damaged the Reflecting Pool by peeling up two square feet of the blue liner.

CNN - Hearn's next hearing is scheduled for August 5.

CNN - Three other individuals pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property related to the Reflecting Pool.

WHERE:

CNN - The incident occurred at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC.

CNN - Hearn appeared in Washington, DC, Superior Court.

WHEN:

CNN - Hearn was indicted on July 2.

CNN - The alleged damage occurred on June 19.

CNN - A trial date is not set, but the judge indicated it could not be held until February 2027.

WHY:

CNN - Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin described Hearn's situation as a “Kafkaesque arrest and Orwellian charges,” emphasizing Hearn's reputation as a model citizen.

CNN - The Trump administration recast the peeling bottom layer and algae growth in the Reflecting Pool shortly after its renovation as serious vandalism.

CNN - The Trump administration completed a $14 million restoration of the Reflecting Pool, which included adding blue sealant to the bottom.

CNN - The US Attorney’s Office framed the allegations against Hearn as a violent desecration of a national monument.

HOW:

AP - Workers have used nanobubblers to infuse ozone into the water to kill algae and bacteria.

CNN - Crews began draining the Reflecting Pool over the weekend to make repairs for the second time in three months, following issues with algae blooms, green-hued water, and a chipping bottom.

CNN - Hearn's attorneys indicated he will challenge the legality of the case extensively before a trial.

CNN - Crews began draining the Reflecting Pool to make repairs after issues with algae blooms and a chipping bottom.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 22:21 UTC)

David Hearn, a three-time Olympian, has been indicted on a felony count of property destruction for allegedly causing over $1,000 in damage by tearing up recently installed sealant from a pool that has faced ongoing renovation issues. Hearn's attorney, Norm Eisen, expressed concern, stating that "Every American should be alarmed about this prosecution," while Adam Van Grack, chair of the U.S. Olympic national governing body for canoe and kayak sports, defended Hearn, emphasizing his dedication to preserving National Park Service property. The pool's renovation has included the use of nanobubblers, devices designed to infuse ozone into the water to combat algae and bacteria.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 18:31 UTC)

During a recent hearing, attorneys for Hearn argued that the government's evidence against him is weak, with one attorney, Norm Eisen, asserting that if Hearn can be charged with a felony for merely touching the Reflecting Pool, then every American is at risk. Supporters of Hearn gathered outside the courthouse, some carrying signs and at least one holding a life preserver, as Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin characterized Hearn's situation as a “Kafkaesque arrest and Orwellian charges,” highlighting his reputation as a model citizen. Meanwhile, it's worth noting that over $16 million has been spent on taxpayer-funded renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 17:38 UTC)

DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro has described the indictment of Hearn as a notably aggressive prosecutorial choice, while Hearn's attorneys have invoked his right to a speedy trial, although the judge announced that the trial cannot take place until February 2027 due to the court's calendar. Meanwhile, three other individuals accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool have pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property, with the alleged damage amounting to less than $1,000. Crews have begun draining the Reflecting Pool over the weekend to make repairs for the second time in three months, addressing issues like algae blooms, green-hued water, and a chipping bottom, which the Trump administration had previously recast as serious vandalism.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 15:56 UTC)

David Hearn, a 67-year-old former U.S. Olympic canoeist, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, an act that allegedly involved peeling up two square feet of the blue liner. Hearn was indicted on July 2, and his next hearing is set for August 5, with the possibility of a trial not occurring until February 2027. Alongside Hearn, three other individuals have also pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the same incident, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office describes as a violent desecration of a national monument.